Five lose athletic jobs

UGA AD making changes: Three senior staffers, two others let go

Posted: Saturday, July 17, 2004

By Ross Markmanross.markman@onlineathens.com

On his 16th day as the University of Georgia's athletic director, Damon Evans fired five UGA Athletic Association employees, three of them senior staff members with a combined 60 years of experience, making good on his pledge to streamline his department.

Word surfaced early Friday afternoon that Freddy Jones, associate AD for ticket operations, Avery McLean, associate AD for marketing and promotions, and Hoke Wilder, assistant AD for standards and new sport programs - and their combined $263,210 in salaries - were bumped from Evans' staff.

Jones and McLean were among the association's four associate athletic directors; Wilder was one of eight assistant athletic directors.

Evans, following his first senior staff meeting, confirmed the job cuts.

''These are changes that are part of our overall restructuring process,'' he said. ''I feel comfortable with the way we are now, but this restructuring thing is an ongoing process. Right now I don't foresee any more changes. ... I feel good about the people in this athletic organization.''

Allen Sullivan/Staff

Freddy Jones, associate athletic director for ticket operations, was one of three top Athletic Association employees who lost their positions Friday.

Charlie Johnson, an assistant equipment manager, and Brandon McEachern, an administrative specialist, were also fired Friday.

Evans on July 1 succeeded Vince Dooley as UGA's athletic director. Dooley moved into a fund-raising role with the athletic association, after UGA President Michael Adams refused his request for a contract extension.

Friday's terminations came three days after another associate AD - Kit Trensch - resigned from her position of 13 years.

McLean had worked for the athletic association for 23 years, Jones for 21 and Wilder for 16. None returned telephone calls seeking comment.

Change, however, was expected in Butts-Mehre Heritage Hall, the athletic department's headquarters. Before assuming control, Evans spoke openly and often of his intentions to streamline.

His actions Friday cemented that promise.

Jeff Blake/Staff

Empty boxes sit Friday outside the office of Avery McLean, associate athletic director for marketing and promotions with the University of Georgia Athletic Association. McLean was one of three high-ranking Athletic Association employees fired Friday by athletic director Damon Evans.

''We are reorganizing and, to a certain extent, it's not done,'' he said. ''But, when I look at restructuring, it's not just about eliminating positions. There may be some areas where we rearrange responsibilities.''

Evans declined to say why any of the three top-level employees were fired, but described the process as ''probably the toughest part of the job.''

''A lot of them have families,'' he said. ''Families I know.''

As for the coaches, Evans said informing them of the staff changes is a critical component of being athletic director: communication. None of the coaches will be fired anytime soon.

''I'm ready to move forward with the personnel we have,'' he said.

Bulldog faithful, meanwhile, shouldn't see a change in how and when they purchase tickets.

''Ticket operations will go on as always as far as fans go,'' Evans said.